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Amazon Abandons Fire OS for New Alexa Tablet Line on Android

Opening Google Play on its tablets, the change repositions Amazon toward higher‑end, Alexa‑centric devices.

Overview

  • Amazon unveiled the Alexa Tablet family on Thursday, moving from its Fire OS fork to standard Android and shipping the devices with Android 16 and Google Play preinstalled.
  • The flagship Alexa Tablet 12 Pro uses a MediaTek Dimensity 8400 processor and offers 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, 128 GB or 256 GB of storage, and a 12‑inch 2800×1840 120 Hz display with an optional matte glass made with Corning.
  • Amazon confirmed deeper Alexa integration called Alexa+ that can capture and analyze on‑screen content to act for users and that each tablet links to Amazon services after sign‑in.
  • Pricing and availability signal a strategic move upmarket: the 12 Pro starts at about €499.99–€559.99 depending on configuration, smaller 11‑inch and 8‑inch models start lower, and Amazon says the devices will ship in October.
  • Amazon promises multi‑year software updates and frames the shift as a bet on Android improvements in windowing and memory handling, a change that may widen app access for users and push Amazon into direct competition with premium tablet makers.